After social media push, Merrimack student might attend graduation

School says autistic student working on GED didn't meet requirements

A Merrimack teenager who was told he couldn't walk in this year's high school graduation may be able to do so after all, following a push on social media.

After social media push, Merrimack student might attend graduation

School says autistic student working on GED didn't meet requirements

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Updated: 6:52 AM EDT Jun 12, 2015

MERRIMACK, N.H. —

A Merrimack teenager who was told he couldn't walk in this year's high school graduation may be able to do so after all, following a push on social media.

A petition was circulated in support of student Tim Morin, but the school district said the whole thing was a misunderstanding and comes down to the type of certification Morin was working toward.

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His mother, Nancy Morin, said her son was trying to get a GED. She said that because of his autism, going to school every day was a challenge, so the decision was made to get a GED instead.

Tim Morin was still getting help from the high school, but not in the traditional way. Instead, instructors were getting him prepared for the test.

Through it all, the family said they were under the impression he would still be able to graduate with his class. His classmates said they thought so, too, and this week, they made a social media push and circulated a petition in support.

But the assistant superintendent said graduation wasn't on the horizon because Tim Morin wasn't earning credits and didn't meet the standards.

Thursday, the two sides came to a compromise. If Tim Morin commits to an instructional plan set up by the district and works toward a diploma after graduation, he can walk on Saturday.

"I don't think it's overwhelming, the way they put it to him," his mother said. "I definitely think it's something he can do."

It's not a done deal yet. Tim Morin has to make the decision by Friday morning.